Test Your Knowledge: Scientific Misconceptions

There's no shame in admitting that we don't have all the answers. But there is a little shame when we're spewing scientific nonsense to our friends, colleagues and the general public. Test yourself to determine what so-called "science" you've misunderstood for years.
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Question 1 of 10

Everyone knows gross things happen after people die. Which of these things does NOT occur after death?

your skin shrivels

you release methane gas

your fingernails grow

It's actually the fact that your skin dries up that makes it look as though your fingernails have lengthened; in fact, your hair or nails don't grow after you expire.

Question 2 of 10

What part of your body loses heat the fastest?

head

feet

neither

While putting a hat on will totally help you keep your head warm, there's no part of yourself that loses heat "faster" than another.

Question 3 of 10

Can a healthy person get the flu from the flu vaccine?

yes, getting the flu shot means running the risk of getting the flu

no, but you might get a wee bit tired or achy

While you can get some mild flu-like symptoms from a flu shot (some aches and a mild fever) you cannot get the actual flu from the vaccine. (And no, you won't get any additional behavioral disorders.)

no, but you can get all sorts of behavioral disorders

Question 4 of 10

Where are the salty taste buds on your tongue located?

We only know where the sweet taste buds reside.

Somewhere toward the back left side.

There is no "zone" for different tastes on your tongue.

Sorry, but you can't make that forkful of spinach taste better depending on where you chew it. Our taste buds can sense all sorts of tastes, all over our tongue.

Question 5 of 10

The big bang theory does NOT:

tell us how the universe inflated

tell us how the universe began

While the big bang theory does describe how the universe started out incredibly small and hot and then expanded, it doesn't tell us a thing about how that small, hot thing was created.

tell us that the universe is cooling

Question 6 of 10

How does the Coriolis effect explain why toilet water swirls in different directions, depending on the hemisphere?

It explains that planetary rotation would make water swirl differently.

It explains why our perception of water swirling depends on the Earth's rotation.

It doesn't explain a darn thing about toilets in either hemisphere.

Get your head out of the toilet. While the Coriolis effect totally makes sense for something like the Gulf Stream, it doesn't apply to our small-scale water models.

Question 7 of 10

How many senses do you think you have, not counting spidey?

None. I'm a monster who feels nothing.

Five. Duh, forever.

There are actually a lot more senses than the usual touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing.

Having only five senses is so passé. What about the ability to feel an itch? Or pain? Makes sense.

Question 8 of 10

When can lightning strike the same spot twice?

Any time it hits -- lightning often hits in more than one place in one strike, too.

So technically, it also strikes twice when the right Iron Maiden song is on. But really, lightning does hit an average of 1.45 places with each cloud-to-ground strike.

Lightning will only strike once, in one place.

Only when Iron Maiden is on the stereo.

Question 9 of 10

Why is summer so hot?

The Earth is closer to the sun in the summer.

To remind us how nice it is to drink a cold beer on a balmy afternoon.

The angle of the sun allows for the most direct hit of light.

Nope, we're not closer to the sun every summer. We're actually just tilted the right way in the summer so the sun beams hit us straight on.

Question 10 of 10

What is a decent strategy to prevent a cold?

take a megadose of vitamin C

stay out of the cold

stop touching your face

The only thing that might help you to not get a cold is to avoid getting the virus into your nose or mouth. Vitamin C and a nice knit cap might make you feel better, but they won't do a thing to avoid a virus taking hold.